BREAKING: Cllr Noel Heavey announces resignation as Mayor of Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District

Fianna Fáil councillor Noel Heavey has today announced his resignation as Mayor (Cathaoirleach) of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD).

Cllr Heavey was previously nominated to the role back in July of last year.

He made the announcement at the latest MD meeting this morning (Wednesday, January 17), which was chaired by the MD's leas Cathaoirleach, Fianna Fáil Cllr Anne Connolly.

A number of his colleagues and members of Kildare County Council (KCC) thanked him for his work as Mayor at the meeting, and it was heard that a special MD meeting would take place on January 31 in order to elect the new Mayor.

Elaborating on his decision to resign, Cllr Heavey told the Leinster Leader following the meeting that his resignation was the result of an undertaking he gave when seeking election for the role.

He said: "I was asked would I consider sharing it (the role), and I said (to my fellow councillors) that I would be OK with that."

Cllr Heavey also revealed that the Mayor role will now be occupied by two local representatives per year (one new Mayor every six months, instead of one person serving a one-year): "There is precendence there; an example of this can be seen with Chairpersons for the Strategic Policy Committee."

Commenting on his stint in office, Cllr Heavey said: "My holding and conduct of the office has been a highlight of my life so far, and I wish to thank my fellow councillors, officials of KCC, constituents  and well wishers for their cooperation and positivity towards me during my time in office.

"Also, I take this opportunity to wish all the best to my successor, whoever that may be."

Cllr Heavey also confirmed that he will continue to work as a county councillor for Newbridge, and added that he will be 'vigorously contesting' the upcoming elections in June.